Why Doncaster Rovers will be missed if they gain promotion

Rovers are currently looking to leave the division and reach the Championship via the play-offs.

If successful they will be missed by the visitors who lauded the stadium in the English Football League’s Away Fan Experience Campaign.

Feedback was sought on how much help visiting fans received from the home team’s stadium staff, their first impressions of the ground and the quality of the food and drink.

Rovers earned the League One accolade thanks to their away supporters’ family zone and friendly staff.

Preston North End came out top in the Championship and Exeter won the League Two prize.

Outgoing EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: “The atmosphere and friendly rivalries created by those fans travelling up and down the country to support their club undoubtedly enhances the matchday experience for all supporters.

“It’s that passion, tribalism and wanting to play a tangible part in the outcome that really sets football apart from other sports and we are proud that the away fan experience continues to grow from strength to strength across the whole of the EFL.

“For the third consecutive season we have seen over 1.5m away-day match tickets sold. That only further emphasises the fantastic work EFL clubs are doing, week-in, week-out, to continually attract significant numbers of supporters through turnstiles.”

The Football Supporters’ Federation worked with the EFL on the research and their deputy chief executive David Rose said: “We hope that by shining a light on these great examples that more clubs will be inspired to provide a welcoming experience for some of football’s most committed supporters.”

Last week, the league announced that total attendances hit a 60-year high this season, with nearly 18.4m people going to the 1,655 games across the three divisions – an average gate of 11,113, up 1.5 per cent on last season.